[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-248":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},248,34,"Chapter 34: The Seventeen-Year-Old Secret","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sound of porcelain shattering against the floor echoed through the side wing, followed by a woman’s frantic, ragged screams.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why won’t he see me! Why!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That bitch! Even after she’s dead, she still has to stake her claim on his heart!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get out! Everyone, get out!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta Palmer was spiraling, pacing the room in a blind fury.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mother! What is it this time?\" Benedict Alexander stood by the staircase, looking at her with nothing but utter disgust.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Son! My son! Call your father! Now!\" Greta lunged at him, her eyes wide, desperate, and pleading.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Even if both of us were dead, he wouldn't look back to check on us,\" Benedict said, coldly shaking her off his lapels.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta’s eyes sparked with a crazed, jagged malice. \"Ha! You’re right. All he cares about is that dead woman and her son!\" She leaned in, a twisted smirk on her face. \"You like that little Montgomery girl, don’t you? Go and take her! I want that bitch and her son to lose to us for once!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, and you think this is winning?\" Benedict sneered at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s your fault! Why won’t you fight for your place? I paved the path for you, and you just stand there! You’re useless!\" She began to beat her fists against his chest in a frenzied rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict caught her wrists, gripping them tight enough to bruise. \"Because neither of us is worthy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha! Hahaha… a wolf’s den, and yet it birthed a rabbit like you. What a pathetic joke!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you don't calm down,\" Benedict said, his voice ice-cold as he shoved her away, \"I’ll do exactly what Father did. I’ll move out, and I won’t ever see you again.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta stumbled, collapsing to the floor. She let out a jagged, hysterical laugh that cut through the silence of the night like a blade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, Evangeline Montgomery was jolted awake by a commotion downstairs. She sat up, dazed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Why did that voice sound so much like Marcellus?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Confused, she shuffled downstairs to investigate. She froze. The living room was practically overflowing with luxury gifts, and there, sitting comfortably with her parents, was Marcellus Alexander.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The entire room turned toward the stairs. Evangeline stood there, hair disheveled, eyes bleary with sleep, still in her pajamas. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline,\" Marcellus murmured, his gaze softening instantly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She snapped back to reality. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she turned on her heel, bolting back to her room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That child,\" Marilyn Montgomery chuckled, shaking her head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline hurried through a morning routine and scrambled back downstairs. She sidled up to Marcellus and whispered, \"What are you doing here?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. \"Grandfather told me it was time to officially pay my respects to your family.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cough—what?\" Evangeline gasped, choking on her own spit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus patted her back, his expression darkening with immediate concern. \"Was I too forward?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No! Not at all!\" Marilyn stepped in, beaming. She was thoroughly charmed by this son-in-law. It was obvious he only had eyes for her daughter. The \"Little Demon King\" of the business world was nothing but tender and doting in front of Evangeline—and eyes didn't lie.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward, however, remained skeptical. He knew the man’s reputation for being ruthless and volatile in the boardroom. He was terrified that his daughter wouldn't be able to handle such a dangerous beast.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, if you aren't busy, stay for lunch,\" Marilyn invited.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’d be honored, ma'am. Thank you for the hospitality.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Nonsense, no trouble at all.\" Marilyn turned to her daughter. \"Darling, why don't you show Marcellus around the house while Nancy and I get lunch ready?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline took his large hand in hers and smiled. \"Come on. Let’s go check out my room.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ahem!\" Edward gave a sharp, warning cough.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He couldn't believe it. Who invited a man into their bedroom so casually? But Evangeline was already halfway up the stairs, pulling Marcellus along.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marilyn watched her husband’s face and suppressed a laugh. \"Feeling like someone just stole our prized flower and the pot it’s planted in?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward sighed, his face pained. \"They grow up so fast...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Upstairs, as soon as the bedroom door clicked shut, Marcellus pressed Evangeline against the wood, trapping her in his arms. The room was filled with her scent, sweet and intoxicating. He felt his restraint slipping.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline giggled softly. \"Control yourself. We're at my parents' house!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Foreheads pressed together, their breathing mingled. Marcellus’s voice was a low, jagged rasp. \"I thought you brought me here because you missed me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Nonsense!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She blushed, tapping his chest, before leading him to the bed to sit. Marcellus scanned the room—a fresh, soft aesthetic filled with pink accents and plush textures. It was just like her: soft, sweet, and endearing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Should we decorate our room at the Elysian Estate like this?\" he asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You like my room?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I like whatever you like.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His doting words made Evangeline’s heart ache with warmth. She leaned into his embrace. \"Marcellus, you’re so good to me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He kissed the top of her head, silent. He wanted to be even better to her than this.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus... the 'Elysian' in Elysian Estate—it isn't named after me, is it?\" She had wondered about this years ago, but had dismissed it as her own vanity. Now, it didn't seem so impossible.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus looked deep into her eyes, his thin lips parting. \"Yes. It is.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow... Marcellus! That place was built five years ago. I was only seventeen then!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus turned his face away, terrified that she’d think he was some kind of obsessed stalker.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline studied his expression, lost in thought. She had never asked him why he loved her, or when it all started. It was becoming clear that there was a history between them she had either forgotten or never knew.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing her fall into a troubled silence, Marcellus panicked, his heart sinking. \"I'm sorry, Evangeline. I...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She cut him off with a soft, lingering kiss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus went rigid for a second before his hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, his kiss turning deeper and more possessive. Their breath hitched; the air in the room grew heavy and hot. Evangeline tapped his chest, gasping, forcing herself to stop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My mother... is downstairs,\" she whispered, her eyes dark and misty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus pulled her into a tight hug, his chest heaving as he fought for control.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Knock, knock, knock.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline? May I have a word with Marcellus?\" Edward’s voice boomed from the hall.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He couldn't stand the suspense. A man and a woman in a room alone—and that boy looked at his daughter like a starving wolf. He’d reached his limit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline bit her lip to keep from laughing and gave Marcellus a shove. \"Go on.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus walked to the door, looking rather disgruntled. Edward peered past him into the room, confirming that they were both fully dressed and the bed was untouched, before finally letting out a breath of relief.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At least the kid knew his boundaries.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You wanted to see me, sir?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come. Let's sit in the study.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus followed Edward into the study. \"Take a seat,\" Edward said, gesturing to the sofa.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What would you like to discuss, sir?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We've all heard rumors about your... methods. Evangeline was raised in a sheltered home...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You have my word,\" Marcellus interrupted, his gaze unwavering. \"I would never treat her the way I handle business. She is my most precious treasure.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Your family situation is a mess,\" Edward countered. \"The force you used to get to the top must have created quite a few enemies.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said it yourself, sir—my style is effective. I don't give them the chance to rise against me. I have the power to protect her. Absolutely.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward narrowed his eyes. The boy was arrogant, yes, but he clearly had the intellect and the grit to back it up. He had clawed his way to the top of the food chain, and that was no small feat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward frowned, a fresh wave of concern washing over him: Is my daughter really strong enough to tame a monster like this?\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912165]